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ABSTRACT: Carboxymethyl κ-carrageenan (CMκC)/alginate (AL) blend fibers were prepared by spinning their mixture solution through a viscose-type spinneret into a coagulating bath containing aqueous CaCl2 and ethanol. The structure and properties of blend fibers were studied with the aid of infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and thermogravimetric analysis. The analyses indicated a good miscibility between AL and CMκC because of the strong interaction of the intermolecular hydrogen bonds. The mechanical properties and water-retention properties were also measured. The best values of tensile strength and breaking elongation were obtained when CMκC content was 30 wt.%. The water-retention properties and thermostability improved by blending method. Antibacterial fibers, obtained by the treatment of the fibers with an aqueous solution of silver nitrate, exhibited good antibacterial activity to Staphylococcus aureus.
Journal of Biomaterials Science Polymer Edition 05/2013; · 1.69 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Collagen peptides grafted sodium alginate (SA-COP) was prepared by reacting alginate with collagen peptide via amide linkage in presence of 1-ethyl-(dimethylaminopropyl) carbodiimide (EDC) and N-hydroxy sulfosuccinimide (NHS). The reaction conditions affected the degree of substitution (DS) were studied including the mass ratio of collagen peptide to sodium alginate, reaction temperature and reaction time. The hydrogen peroxide scavenging activity could be controlled by adjusting the DS, concentration and molecular weight. MTT assay was used to investigate the cell viability of SA-COP. The results indicated that the SA-COP exhibited better cell viability, and with the DS and concentration increasing of SA-COP, cell viability increased. The improved functionalities of the derivative might be explained by peptides characteristics.
Carbohydrate polymers. 04/2013; 93(2):380-5.
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ABSTRACT: Carboxymethyl chitosan (CMC) was chemically modified by sulfating agent N(SO(3)Na)(3). The product carboxymethyl chitosan sulfate (CMCS) was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and carbon-13 nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy ((13)C NMR). And the optimal reaction conditions were also studied by means of single factor experiment. MTT method was applied to evaluate the effects of CMCS on proliferation of skin fibroblasts. The results revealed the CMCS with sulfate content of 26.26% at the concentration of 100μg/ml best promoted the proliferation of skin fibroblasts.
International journal of biological macromolecules 12/2012; · 2.37 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: In order to develop a promising substitute for heparin, N-succinyl chitosan (NSC) was chemically modified by sulfating agent N(SO(3)Na)(3), which were synthesized with sodium bisulfite and sodium nitrite in aqueous solution. The N-succinyl chitosan sulfates (NSCS) products were characterized by infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and (13)C NMR. The degree of substitution (DS) of NSCS depended on the ratio of sulfating agent to N-succinyl chitosan, reaction temperature, reaction time and pH of sulfation agent. N-succinyl chitosan sulfates with DS of 1.97 were obtained under optimal conditions. The in vitro coagulation assay of NSCS was determined by activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), prothrombin time (PT) and thrombin time (TT) assays. The results showed that NSCS obviously prolonged APTT. The anticoagulant activity strongly depended on DS, molecular weight (M(w)) and concentration of NSCS. The anticoagulant activity of NSCS promoted with the increase of DS and concentration, and NSCS exhibited the best anticoagulant activity with the M(w) of 1.37×10(4).
International journal of biological macromolecules 08/2012; 51(5):808-14. · 2.37 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The present study was conducted to compare bipolar hemiarthroplasty (BA) with total hip arthroplasty (THA) in treatment of unstable intertrochanteric fractures in elderly osteoporotic patients. The THA group included 14 males and 26 females with a mean age of 73.4 years, and the BA group included 27 males and 45 females with a mean age of 76.5 years. Significant difference existed between the two groups in operation time, blood loss, transfusion volume and cost of hospitalization, while no remarkable difference was identified in hospitalization period, general complications, joint function, pain, rate of revision and mortality. No dislocation was observed in BA group while 3 occurred in THA group. The results indicated that for unstable intertrochanteric fractures in elderly osteoporotic patients, BA seems to be a better or more reasonable choice compared with THA for the reason of less blood loss, shorter operation time, lower cost and no dislocation.
PLoS ONE 01/2012; 7(6):e39531. · 4.09 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Quaternary ammonium chitosan sulfates with diverse degrees of substitution (DS) ascribed to sulfate groups between 0.52 and 1.55 were synthesized by reacting quaternary ammonium chitosan with an uncommon sulfating agent (N(SO(3)Na)(3)) that was prepared from sodium bisulfite (NaHSO(3)) through reaction with sodium nitrite (NaNO(2)) in the aqueous system homogeneous. The structures of the derivatives were characterized by FTIR, (1)H NMR and (13)C NMR. The factors affecting DS of quaternary ammonium chitosan sulfates which included the molar ratio of NaNO(2) to quaternary ammonium chitosan, sulfated temperature, sulfated time and pH of sulfated reaction solution were investigated in detail. Its anticoagulation activity in vitro was determined by an activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) assay, a thrombin time (TT) assay and a prothrombin time (PT) assay. Results of anticoagulation assays showed quaternary ammonium chitosan sulfates significantly prolonged APTT and TT, but not PT, and demonstrated that the introduction of sulfate groups into the quaternary ammonium chitosan structure improved its anticoagulant activity obviously. The study showed its anticoagulant properties strongly depended on its DS, concentration and molecular weight.
International journal of biological macromolecules 01/2012; 50(1):31-7. · 2.37 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Oxidation of pectin was performed with sodium periodate to prepare pectin dialdehyde (PD). In this study we used the cross-linking reaction of the active aldehyde of PD and the amino of carboxymethyl chitosan (CMC) to prepare the hydrogels. By controlling the proportion of pectin dialdehyde and CMC we made different kinds of hydrogels. We systematically studied the characters of the hydrogels using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis of the pectin dialdehyde, CMC and the hydrogels, and also X-ray diffractometry and scanning electron microscopy analysis of the instrument of the hydrogels. Equilibrium swelling showed that the gels retained about 88-93% water. The water vapor transmission rate (WVTR) and the evaporation of water from gels showed that such hydrogels were optimal for maintaining a moist environment conducive for wound healing. Examination of the hemolytic potential showed that the hydrogels were nonhemolytic in nature. The hydrogels were non-toxic and blood-compatible. This hydrogel prepared from oxidized pectin and CMC without employing any extraneous cross-linking agents is expected to have potential as wound-dressing material.
Journal of Biomaterials Science Polymer Edition 11/2011; · 1.69 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Hydroxysafflor yellow A (HSYA) was reported neuroprotective under several ischemic models in vivo. In this study, the direct effect of HSYA against oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD) inducing acute neuronal injury and the underling mechanisms in vitro were investigated. Four-hour oxygen and glucose deprivation (OGD) followed by 20 h reperfusion (adding back oxygen and glucose, OGD-R) was used to induce in vitro ischemia reperfusion injury in differentiated rat pheochromocytoma PC12 cells. HSYA (1, 10, and 100 μmol/l) was added to the cultures 30 min prior to the ischemic insult and was present during OGD and reoxygenation phases. The survival rate of PC12 cells was detected by MTT assay. The contents of malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity were elevated by biochemical method. Hoechst 33258 staining and flow cytometric analysis were used to detect apoptosis; western blotting was used to detect the expression of Bcl-2, Bax, and Cytochrome C protein. The activity of caspase-3 was assessed by colorimetry. HSYA concentration-dependently attenuated neuronal damage with characteristics of increasing injured neuronal absorbance of MTT, decreasing cell apoptosis, and antagonizing decreases in SOD activity and increase in MDA level induced by OGD-R. Moreover, the down-regulation of Bcl-2, up-regulation of Bax and the release of mitochondrial cytochrome c to cytosol and the consequent activation of caspase-3 were reversed by HSYA in a dose-dependent manner. These results suggest that apoptosis is an important characteristic of OGD-R-induced PC 12 death and that treatment of PC12 cells with HSYA can block OGD-R-induced apoptosis through suppression of intracellular oxidative stress and mitochondria dependent caspase cascade.
Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology 06/2011; 31(8):1187-94. · 1.97 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Inflammation, which is known to be detrimental to the neurologic outcome during the acute phase after an ischemic stroke, provides a potential target for preventive or therapeutic approach for spinal cord ischemia-reperfusion injury. Tetramethylpyrazine (TMP), a pure compound derived from Ligusticum chuanxiong, is widely used in the treatment of ischemic stroke. The present study aimed to gain a deeper insight into the mechanism underlying the anti-inflammatory effects of TMP on spinal cord ischemia-reperfusion injury.
Spinal cord ischemia was induced in male Sprague-Dawley rats by balloon occlusion of the thoracic aorta. The experimental groups (n = 30 per group) included sham operation, control (receiving only normal saline), and TMP (30 mg/kg, 30 minutes before occlusion). Neurologic function was assessed by the Basso, Beattie, and Bresnahan (BBB) score at 1, 6, 12, 24, and 48 hours after reperfusion. Histologic changes were studied using Nissl staining. Infarct volume was analyzed using 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining. Myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity was determined by using a rat MPO assay kit. Interleukin (IL)-1β, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, IL-10 and nuclear factor (NF)-κB were examined with immunohistochemistry, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and Western blotting.
Compared with the control group, the TMP group showed significantly improved neurologic outcome (P < .05), decreased infarct volume (42.3% vs 17.4%), and alleviated neutrophil infiltration (0.35 vs 0.18 U/g). TMP treatment reduced the expressions of proinflammatory cytokines TNF-α (28.62 vs 15.23 pg/mg protein) and IL-1β (13.62 vs 8.24 pg/mg protein), upregulated the expression of anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 (18.35 vs 31.26 pg/mg protein), and inhibited the activation of NF-κB (2.78 vs 1.22) in ischemic spinal cord.
Treatment with TMP exerted a neuroprotective effect against spinal cord ischemia-reperfusion injury. The anti-inflammatory effect was believed to be one of the contributing mechanisms.
Journal of vascular surgery: official publication, the Society for Vascular Surgery [and] International Society for Cardiovascular Surgery, North American Chapter 03/2011; 54(1):192-200. · 3.52 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Researches on the pathology of spinal cord injury (SCI) have been recently focused on oxidative radicals stress and inflammation associated neuronal apoptosis. Resveratrol, a natural phenolic compound, has been extensively studied and shown a wide variety of health beneficial effects, including prevention of cardiovascular diseases and cancer and neuroprotective activities. However, the study of its potential role in neuroprotection and underlying mechanism in SCI model has been limited. In this study, we investigated the effect of resveratrol on neurologic functions and histopathologic changes after SCI and the mechanism underlying its neuroprotective effects. First, neuronal function after SCI was evaluated with Basso Beattle Bresnahan locomotor rating scale (BBB) and the result showed that injured animals treated with resveratrol showed a significant increase in BBB scores. Further, histopathological alternations were evaluated with HE and Nissl staining, showing a restored neural morphology and an increase of the number of neurons after resveratrol administration. To explore the underlying mechanism, anti-oxidation effect of resveratrol was assessed by measuring superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and malondialdehyde (MDA) level after SCI. Resveratrol treatment reversed the decrease of SOD activity and increase of MDA level caused by SCI, suggesting its anti-oxidation role in response to the injury. In addition, resveratrol treatment suppressed immunoreactivity and expression of inflammatory cytokines including IL-1β, IL-10, TNF-α, and myeloperoxidase (MPO) after SCI, suggesting an anti-inflammation effect of resveratrol. Finally, resveratrol treatment inhibited injury-induced apoptosis as assessed by electrical microscopy and TUNEL staining and affected the expression level of apoptosis-related gene Bax, Bcl-2 and caspase-3, which indicated its anti-apoptosis role after SCI. Our data suggest that resveratrol significantly promotes the recovery of rat dorsal neuronal function after SCI, and this effect is related to its characteristics of anti-oxidation, anti-inflammation and anti-apoptosis.
Brain research 02/2011; 1374:100-9. · 2.46 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Lung cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths worldwide and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) accounts for about 75%-85% of all lung cancers. NSCLC often presents at stages too late for surgical intervention and traditional treatments including chemotherapy and radiotherapy are inadequate. The 5-year survival rate of NSCLC is only 5%-10%. PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway is an important intracellular signal transduction pathway. It plays an important role in cell apoptosis and survival by affecting the activity of downstream effector molecules, and it is closely associated with the development and progression of NSCLC. This article reviewed recent progress on the composition, anti-apoptosis and proproliferation of PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway, and discussed its potential targets to NSCLC therapy.
Zhongguo fei ai za zhi = Chinese journal of lung cancer 12/2010; 13(12):1149-54.
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ABSTRACT: The study was aimed to investigate the protective effects of rosuvastatin on spinal cord ischemia in rats and to determine the effects of this agent on the expressions of nitric oxide synthase (NOS). Spinal cord ischemia was induced in male Sprague-Dawley rats by occluding the descending thoracic aorta. Experimental groups (n=30 per group) were as follows: sham operation, control (receiving only normal saline), rosuvastatin (5 mg/kg/day for 10 days before occlusion), and rosuvastatin-mevalonate (5 mg/kg/day rosuvastatin and 5 mg/kg/day mevalonate for 10 days before occlusion). Neurological function was assessed at 6, 12, 24, 48, and 72 h after reperfusion. After 72 h reperfusion, spinal cords were harvested for 2,3,5,-triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining, TUNEL staining, and nitric oxide (NO) assay. Immunohistochemistry, reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and western blot were performed to determine the expressions of inducible, endothelial, and neuronal NOS (iNOS, eNOS, and nNOS) in rats with spinal cord ischemia. Spinal cord ischemia thus induced was marked by neurological dysfunction, spinal infarction, and neural cell apoptosis in animals. The results show that rosuvastatin significantly reduced the motor disturbance and the volume of infarctions and attenuated apoptotic neural cells death in the treated rats. Treatment with rosuvastatin remarkably decreased the NO level in spinal cord tissue. In addition, rosuvastatin inhibited iNOS mRNA and protein expression and increased eNOS mRNA and protein expression. However, rosuvastatin had no influence on nNOS mRNA and protein expression. Administrations of mevalonate completely reversed the changes caused by rosuvastatin. These results indicate that rosuvastatin can protect rat spinal cord against ischemia injury by modulation of NOS expressions.
Brain research 07/2010; 1346:251-61. · 2.46 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: To study the biological activity of recombinant adeno-associated virus vector (rAAV) co-expressing human vascular endothelial growth factor 165 (hVEGF165) and human bone morphogenetic protein 7 (hBMP-7) genes in vitro so as to provide a new method for the therapeutics of osteonecrosis.
The 3rd passage rabbit bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) were transfected with rAAV-hVEGF165-internal ribosome entry site (IRES)-hBMP-7 (experimental group) and green fluorescent protein (GFP) labeled rAAV-IRES-GFP (control group). The expressions of hVEGF165 and hBMP-7 were detected by ELISA assay at the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 7th, 14th days and Western blot assay at the 14th day after transfection. The expression consistencies of hVEGF165 and hBMP-7 were observed by immunofluorescence assay at the 14th day after transfection. The biological activity of hVEGF165 was assessed by angiopoiesis experiment of the 3rd passage human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). The biological activity of hBMP-7 was assessed by mineralization of BMSCs detected by ALP staining and alizarin red staining.
With infecting time, the hVEGF165 and hBMP-7 expressions increased gradually in two groups, showing significant difference between two groups (P < 0.05). The expressions of hVEGF165 and hBMP-7 were positive in experimental group and negative in control group, respectively. Immunofluorescence assay showed positive expressions of hVEGF165 and hBMP-7 in the experimental group and negative expression in the control group, the expression of hVEGF165 and hBMP-7 had good consistencies. hVEGF165 secreted from BMSCs enhanced HUVEC migration, proliferation and tube formation in experimental group. There was significant difference in the number of blood vessel between two groups (P < 0.05). The ALP staining showed more strongly stained granules in experimental group than in control group. There was significant difference in the number of the mineralized nodules between two groups (P < 0.05).
The rAAV-hVEGF165-IRES-hBMP-7 has good biological activity in vitro.
Zhongguo xiu fu chong jian wai ke za zhi = Zhongguo xiufu chongjian waike zazhi = Chinese journal of reparative and reconstructive surgery 04/2010; 24(4):415-9.
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ABSTRACT: A complex of chitosan (CS-40) and nisin (CS-40/nisin) was prepared and characterized with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and thermal analysis (thermogravimetry, differential thermogravimetry, and differential scanning calorimetry). The results show that the complex formed mainly by electrostatic interaction between the protonated amino group in CS-40 backbone with the carboxylate ion of nisin. Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) were evaluated against Gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, and Bacillus stearothermophilus), Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli, Salmonella enteritidis, and Proteus vulgaris), and fungi (Fusarium oxysporum). The results show that the CS-40/nisin solution did inhibit or even more strongly inhibited the growth of all the tested microorganisms, whereas CS-40 did not inhibit the growth of F. oxysporum and nisin did not inhibit the growth of Gram-negative bacteria (E. coli, S. enteritidis, and P. vulgaris). The relative inhibition times of CS-40/nisin solutions with different concentrations and ratios of CS-40 and nisin were also investigated against the seven microorganisms. The results showed that CS-40/nisin solutions with CS-40/nisin concentration ratios of 0.05/0.005, 0.05/0.0025, 0.05/0.00125, and 0.025/0.0001% had higher antimicrobial activity against all tested bacteria and fungi. The relationship between complex formation and antimicrobial activity is discussed. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010
Journal of Applied Polymer Science 02/2010; 116(6):3702 - 3707. · 1.29 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Alginate/ N-Succinyl-chitosan (SCS) blend fibers, prepared by spinning their mixture solution through a viscose-type spinneret into a coagulating bath containing aqueous CaCl2, were studied for structure and properties with the aid of infrared spectroscopy (IR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The results indicated a good miscibility between alginate and SCS, because of the strong interaction from the intermolecular hydrogen bonds. The best values of the dry tensile strength and breaking elongation were obtained when SCS content was 30 wt %. The wet tensile strength decreased with the increase of SCS content, and the wet breaking elongation achieved maximum value when the SCS content was 30 wt %. Introduction of SCS in the blend fiber improved water-retention properties of blend fiber compared to pure alginate fiber. Antibacterial fibers, obtained by treating the fibers with aqueous solution of silver nitrate, exhibited good antibacterial activity to Staphylococcus aureus. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010
Journal of Applied Polymer Science 01/2010; 116(4):2151 - 2156. · 1.29 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: To investigate common downstream mechanism of PGE2 and O2-sensitive voltage-dependent potassium (Kv) channels in preterm and term DA tone regulations, for suggesting respective prescriptions for preterm and term PDA.
The expressions of Kv1.2, 1.5 and 2.1 were compared between preterm and term in rabbit and human DAs at mRNA and protein levels; DA contracting responses caused by O2, Kv channels blocker 4-AP, EP4 antagonist GW627368X, and PGE2 reduce using vessels rings and Whole-Cell Patch-Clamp were explored.
Kv 1.2 and 2.1 expressions were developed with pregnant age in preterm DA and decreased after birth with oxygen stimulation in term DA. GW627368X led significant DA constriction and DASMC IK current decrease in preterm, which was slimier to 4-AP effects, but just slightly influenced on DA tension and DASMC IK current at term. In addition, PGE2 led great DA dilation and IK current increase of DASMC in preterm but not in term. These DA tension and IK current changes were in line with Kv channel expressions.
Higher levels of PGE2 binds with GPCR EP4, which activates G-protein to couple with O2-sensitive Kv channels and to open them, leading to DA vasorelaxation in the fetus. It indicates that EP4 inhibitors, instead of PGE2 or its analogue PGE1, may be a selectable strategy for preterm PDA.
International journal of cardiology 10/2009; 147(1):58-65. · 7.08 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Low molecular weight chitosan with weight-average molecular weight from 161 to 22,000Da were obtained by sonolysis. Optimal conditions for sonolysis were described. The influence of sonolysis condition and the molecular parameters of initial chitosan on the degradation rate and degradation rate constant were investigated in detail. Weight-average molecular weight (Mw) and molecular weight dispersion (Mw/Mn) of samples were measured by gel permeation chromatography. The structure of degraded chitosan were characterized by Fourier transform infrared, X-ray diffraction, and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. For a given sonolysis time, the decrease in molecular weight has been found to be greatest at lowest reaction temperature and lowest chitosan concentration. Molecular weight of samples decreased exponentially with increasing sonication time at early stages. The action mode of ultrasound on the splitting of molecular chain of chitosan has been discussed. The degree of deacetylation of the main hydrolysis products almost unchanged compared with the initial chitosan. The decrease of molecular weight led to transformation of crystal structure but the chemical structures of residues were not modified. Ultrasonic treatment on chitosan is an alternative, safe method to prepare chitosan having different molecular weights, which are more suitable for biomedical and food applications. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
Journal of Applied Polymer Science 05/2008; 109(4):2417 - 2425. · 1.29 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Alginate/konjac glucomannan (KGM) blend fibers, prepared by spinning their mixture solution through a viscose-type spinneret into a coagulating bath containing aqueous CaCl2 and ethanol, were studied for structure and properties with the aid of infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron micrography. The analyses indicated a good miscibility between alginate and KGM because of the strong interaction. The dry tensile strength of the blend fiber increased with increase in KGM content. The wet tensile strength of fibers decreased with increase in KGM content. The optimal breaking elongations in dry and wet state were obtained when the KGM contents were 30 and 10 wt %, respectively. The most obvious change is that the introduction of KGM in the blend fiber can dramatically improve water-retention properties of blend fiber compared with pure alginate fiber. The fibers treated with aqueous solution of silver nitrate have good antibacterial activity to Staphylococcus aureus. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2007
Journal of Applied Polymer Science 09/2007; 106(6):3903 - 3907. · 1.29 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Diffuse panbronchiolitis (DPB) is a pulmonary disease of unknown etiology that predominantly affects East Asians, particularly Japanese with a prevalence of 0.00028. Research has shown that HLA-B54 and HLA-A11 are positively associated with this disease. HLA-A, -B, and -DR loci were analyzed using an oligonucleotide microarray in both Chinese patients with DPB and normal control subjects. The most marked difference between the patients and the controls was the decreased frequency of HLA-A2 (p=0.001, OR=0.12), which showed a negative association with the disease; however, there was no significant contribution of HLA-B loci. Interestingly, the frequency of HLA-A11 was increased (p=0.007, OR=3.9), in accordance with previous reports on Japanese and Koreans. In addition, the frequency of HLA-DRB5*010/020 slightly increased (p=0.049). The HLA-associated genes for DPB are located between the HLA-A and HLA-B loci. Differences in HLA-associated genes may partially explain differences in the incidence of DPB among different populations.
Respiratory Physiology & Neurobiology 09/2007; 157(2-3):366-73. · 2.24 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Alginate and poly(vinyl alcohol) blend fibers were prepared by spinning their solution through a viscose‐type spinneret into a coagulating bath containing aqueous CaCl2 and ethanol. The structure and properties of the blend fibers were studied with the aid of infrared spectra (IR), scanning electron micrography (SEM), x‐ray diffraction (XRD), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Mechanical properties and water‐retention properties were measured. The best values of the tensile strength of blend fibers, 13.57 cN/tex in the dry state and 3.02 cN/tex in the wet state, respectively, were obtained when the poly(vinyl alcohol) content was 10wt%. The breaking elongation and water‐retention values (WRV) of blend fibers increase as the amount of poly(vinyl alcohol) is raised. Structure analysis indicated that there was strong interaction and a certain level of miscibility between the alginate and poly(vinyl alcohol) molecules.
Journal of Macromolecular Science Part A 08/2007; · 0.89 Impact Factor
